Blanche Kafka, of Antigo, died Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Rosalia Gardens in Antigo. She was 92 years old. She was born on March 30, 1922 in Casco, a daughter of Anton and Agnes (Tlachac) Koss. She married Philip Kafka on November 15, 1952 at St. Wencel Catholic Church in Neva. He preceded her in death on November 18, 2008.
Blanche moved to Deerbrook in the summer of 1924 where she attended Deerbrook Graded School and graduated from Antigo High School with the class of 1939. She enlisted in the Navy WAVES in August 1943 and served with their Hospital Corp until discharge on May 23, 1946.
She returned to Antigo where she raised her family and was employed at the J.C. Penny store and the United States Postal service as a rural mail carrier.
She was a member of SS Mary and Hyacinth Catholic Church and its rosary society, past commander and member of the Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post #3 and the Leland-
Tollefson Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #2653 Auxiliary. She served as a thrift store founder and volunteer for the Community Association of Area Retirees (CAAR) and was a member of the Langlade Hospital Auxiliary. She was a Girl Scout troop leader while her daughters were younger and served as a driver for Meals on Wheels into her 80's.
Survivors include three sons, Steve (Nancy) Kafka, Antigo, Mike Kafka, Madison, Dan Kafka, Madison; two daughters, Kathleen (Kevin) Walters, Madison, Laureen (Tom) Miller, Appleton; four grandchildren, Grant Kafka, Shayna (Eric) Reichenbach, Margaret and Benjamin Miller; a sister, Rosemary Filbrandt, Antigo; three brothers, Stanley Koss, Bryant, Stephen (Grace) Koss, Antigo, Anthony (Doris) Koss, Harvard, Illinois; a sister-in-law, Marion Koss, Deerbrook.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary (Joseph, Jr.) Novak, Edna (John, Sr.) Piela, and Juliana Koss; a brother, Vernon Koss, a brother-in-law, Jerome Filbrandt, a sister-in-law Betty Koss.
A funeral Mass will be held on Monday March 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church with Rev. David Schmidt officiating. Burial will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery where the Antigo Veterans will conduct military rites. Visitation will be 3 - 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9 - 10 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. The rosary society will recite the rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday also at the funeral home.
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
To the Kafka family
Sending our sympathy to all of you at the loss of a great lady. I hav enjoyed visiting with her at Rosalia Gardens - she always had something quippy to say and I enjoyed teasing her - she is missed already - but she is now free and with your dad - take care - Ann Majewski
Aunt Blanche will be missed! Loved all her stories of the history of the family and the yummy food she made. We have a funny story. Teresa and I stayed with Kafaka's around May of 1988. We came up for a wedding. We think it was Joe and Kelly Novak but not 100% sure. Mom and dad were still in New Jersey. Margie Filbrandt gave us a ride back to Blanches' after the reception. When we pulled up, Blanche walked around from the back of the house and it appeared she had wings flapping on her shoulders. Apparently she was locked out of the house and she turned her nice white sweater inside out to crawl in the basement window to get in. She didn't want to get her sweater dirty! It was the shoulder pads flapping up and down. We laughed but how clever of our Aunt Blanche! Agnes Koss Hedin and Teresa Koss Weber.
Our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your mother, Blanche. She has now joined your father in eternal life.
To Dan, Mike, Kathy, Steve, Laureen and your families. You have our sympathy and that our thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of your mother.
To Steve, Mike, Dan, Kathleen, Loreen and your families. Aunt Blanche was the best...so proud to be her neice. I think she could be an inspiration to all of us...full of energy, positive attitude and always looking for yet one more way to help someone. She was your number one cheerleader in whatever you did. She will be missed so much.
We only met Blanche a few times, but we could tell that she loved life and loved her family.
Sending our sympathy and love to Kathleen, Dan, Mike and Steve.
so sorry about blanche passing. she was such a good person. my parents always liked her and thought she was so kind and generous. anyone would have been proud to be a part of her family.
Aunt Blanche was always full of energy and ready to help wherever needed. She knew all of the family history, just like Grandma Koss, and baked like her as well. For any of you that tasted Grandma Koss's baking, that is a high compliment. When my son Lance was 3 months old, Aunt Blanche took care of him during my sister Teresa's wedding because I was in the bridal party. I didn't trust many people with him when he was that little, but I didn't hesitate to hand him over into Blanche's capable hands. That was 30 years ago. We will all miss her very much. My condolences to all of the family.
Our sympathy to all the family. She was a wonderful lady. She always had time to visit. Many memories. Pat & Dale
Steve, Nancy and Family, So sorry for your loss.
I enjoyed caring for her through Hands With Heart. The stories of her childhood were interesting, Blanche was one special lady!
Sympathy to you and your family. Beth Hoerman
I have many great memories of Blanche. She was my second mother. I spent a great deal of my younger days at the Kafka house and have only good memories, too many to speak of here. Her smile and forgiving nature will be remembered forever by me and my entire family. Just want all the KAfka's to know the Peterson family extends there deepest sympathy and regret not being able to attend the funeral services as we are out of state on vacation. Love you all, Scotty and family.
Sending our sympathy to all of you. Mrs. Kafka was a great lady...I will always have fond memories of our Girl Scout days with her leading us. She was always so good to us and fun to be around! Until we meet again...
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